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Together Again
Former Georgia Tech teammates Anthony Morrow and Isma'il Muhammad are reunited at Hawks training camp.By Jon Cooper

It seems like a long time ago in a place far, far away, that Anthony Morrow and
Isma'il Muhammad shared a special bond that only pupil and mentor can.

Actually, it was eight years ago and only about four miles away, at Georgia
Tech. Back then, Muhammad, the explosive forward, was the one showing Morrow,
the hot-shot guard, the ropes.

That year made an indelible impression on Morrow.

"His support and the way he pushed me when I was at Tech, a lot of that stuff
stuck with me throughout those years and really helped me and put me in the
position I’m in now," he said. "I’m still really humbled about it and grateful
to him for that."

Morrow was never sure how he'd pay the debt back.

Following the '04-05 season, Muhammad left and while the two stayed close,
frequently working out together during summers, their professional paths seemed
destined never to cross again.

Professionally, their situations dramatically turned around after each finished
college. Morrow, a Charlotte, North Carolina native, who averaged 11.4 ppg while
shooting .437 (.421 from three and a school-record .867 from the line, proved
himself a bona-fide scorer on the NBA level. Although he was undrafted coming
out of college, Morrow's hot shooting led Golden State to sign him as a free
agent in 2008.

He rewarded the Warriors by becoming the first rookie in NBA history to lead the
league in three-point shooting, hitting a scorching .467, with 86 three-point
field goals. He played in Northern California one more year and was then traded
to New Jersey. He'd play two seasons there before the Hawks and Nets made the
their July 11th trade that sent Morrow, DeShawn Stevenson, Johan Petro, Jordan
Farmar, Jordan Williams, a 2013 first-round draft pick and a 2017 second-round
pick to Atlanta for Joe Johnson.

When training camp opened, there was Muhammad, who was signed to the training
camp roster on Oct. 3.

They were teammates again, but this time with a twist.

This time, it is Morrow, a career .426 shooter from three, who has the
experience and is showing Muhammad, the world-traveler, the ropes.

"It’s funny how things turn out," he said. "It’s just great to have him on the
team and around. He’s always been somebody that could push me. He’s still
pushing me in training camp."

Muhammad likes the reversal of fortunes.

"I’m learning a lot from Anthony now because he has four years in the League, so
he’s a veteran," said the Atlanta native, who starred at W.D. Mohammed High
School in Atlanta, before playing at Georgia Tech (2001 through 2005) then
embarking on his pro ball career in various international locales. "It’s
that big brother-little brother thing. The younger brother outgrows the big
brother sometimes. That’s how it is with me and Anthony now. But it’s all good.
We have a great relationship."

Morrow believes it's all good being back in Atlanta.

"I was living here last summer. So it’s like a second home to me," he said.
"It’s going to be fun coming in and playing in front of all those Tech fans, all
the fans from Atlanta that remember me from Tech. I’m just really excited.”

He expects to be just as “at home” on the court.

"Definitely my game is shoot and score but also show that I can do more than
just shoot the ball," he said. "Obviously, you have to take the challenge
defensively first and foremost. Defensively, it’s a whole new outlook here on

this team. We’re taking it seriously. We can’t just be up-tempo offensively.
We’ve got to be up-tempo defensively. It’ll be a good opportunity for everybody
on the team."And he hopes that team includes Muhammad.

Up-tempo had been Muhammad's game at Georgia Tech, where he was an explosive
presence helping the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 National Championship game. His
highlight-reel dunks made him a fixture on ESPN's top plays.

But he now faces a battle similar to the one Hawks forward Josh Smith faced
early on in his career — trying to escape being pigeon-holed as just a dunker.
Muhammad is okay with the reputation.

"It’s tough, but that comes with basketball. Most times people know a player for
one thing," he said. "It’s one of those things you deal with. When you do
something that catches people's eye, that’s all they know you for, but it’s
alright. It’s better to be known for something than not known for anything."

Muhammad would like people to remember that even when he was establishing his
rep as an electrifying dunker, he also was a hard-nosed defender. That tenacity
hasn't diminished and he hopes will open a door for him with the Hawks.

"This team has so many scorers right now, I feel I bring a different element
with my defense," he said. "I can be one of those guys that defends every
position, kind of be a defensive stopper. You want to show guys that you do have
some skill and you can make shots but when it’s time to play you get in your
role, say, ‘This is what I do best. I’m a defensive stopper, I’m a rebounder and
I play hard and that’s what I’m going to stick to.’"

Morrow believes that there is a spot for his "big brother."

"He’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been on a team with," said
Morrow. "I’m still learning things from him defensively."

Muhammad didn't see action in the Hawks' exhibition opener against the Miami
Heat, and doesn't know how long he'll stick with the club, but is planning to
make the most of his time. After playing in so many foreign lands, lacing 'em up
in his own back yard, obviously, has tremendous appeal.

"It is a good situation because I’m from here, I went to school here at Georgia
Tech, and I still live in Atlanta during the off-season," he said. "My family’s
here. So it would be great if I could get on the team."

Morrow, the pupil-turned-teacher, will do his part.

"I’m still trying to help him any way I can," he said. "I’m really happy to see
him here. I think he has a great chance of making the team. I’m just praying
that he makes it."